Combination chair and lamp



. Feb. 25, 1936. A.I A. GRANovsKY COMBINATION 'CHAIR AND LAMP Filed March 24, 1934 INVENTOR:

ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 2s, 193e UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to furniture and has particular reference to armchairs, or similar devices, one object of the invention being the provision of an improved combination chair, lamp, and radio receiving set.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described having improved means for mounting a lamp, or radio set, or both, in the body of a chair and so as to eiliciently dissipate the heat generated thereby.

Another object of the invention is to furnishl a device of the nature set forth in which a lamp" is mounted in an improved manner for eiliciently projecting light to the most desired points, and in which the lamp may be conveniently controlled, and replaced.

Another object of the invention is to construct a device of the type mentioned wherein a radio receiving set can be removably positioned in an improved manner, and so as to facilitate inspection, repair, cleaning, and control thereof.

A further object of the invention is to furnish a device ofthe class alluded to having few and simple parts, and which is inexpensive to manufacture, neat in appearance, convenient, durable, reliable, safe and efcient in use to a high degree.

Other objects and advantages of the invention willd become apparent as the specification procee s.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists in the novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claim, and illustrated in the annexed drawing, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, with parts removed, showin/g' a device embodying the invention. l

Fig. 2 is a similar view in front elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a similar top plan view thereof.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of a window element ofthe invention.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showingva modification of the invention.

'I'he advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined in one and the same structure, but useful devices may be pro.- duced embodying less than the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, that the same may be incorporated in several different con'- structions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merely as showing the preferre exemplifcation of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, I0 denotes a device embodying the' invention. The same may include an Iarticle o f furniture such as an arm chair or the'like, having a seat I I, a back I2 and side arms I3. Extending yupward from the latter and forward from the back I2 are the extensions I4 which may have curved front faces I5 that may be similar to segments of an upright cylindrical surface. The chair may include any suitable frame or body and may, if desired, be upholstered. It will be understood that the shape and specific construction of the chair may be varied to suit, `as Well as the materials of which it is made, the showing herein being' for illustrative purposes primarily.

Each extension I4 is a duplicate of the other and is arranged to form a compartment I6 to house a lamp I'I, which changes the character of such extension to constitute a lighting unit. Each compartment I6 may be located wholly at a side edge of the back I2 and be constructed of vertically spaced frame elements I8, I9, 20, 2|, the elements 2I being interconnected by horizontal cross pieces 22. The elements I9, 20 may be interconnected by vertical frame pieces 23.

Frame bars 24, 25 forming a part of the main frame may be connected to said elements as shown. The elements 2|, 22 may be interconnected by the vertical bars 25, thereby affording a generally rectangular window frame. A plate 2B of insulator material or of wood forms a bottom for the compartment, and is connected to the bars 24, 25, and includes a ventilation opening 21. It will be noted that the elements I8, I9 provide a ventilation opening 28 and are horizontally offset from each other, so that element I9 lies further rearward than its companion element, for a purpose hereinafter described.

The main frame of the chair may include inner and outer corner posts 29, 30 at the front of each arm of the chair, and disposed in planes common with .the corresponding rear uprights 24. Interconnecting tlercorresponding members 24, 29 and 3U are cross bars 3|, 32, 33 and 34. The bars 25 may be connected to the bars 3|, and

cross pieces 35, 36 may interconnect the latter to afford a rectangular frame therewith. Other cross ,pieces 31 may interconnect the bars 34,'

and the feet 38 may be suitably connected to support the chair. The entire frame may be suitably upholstered, the numeral 39 designating any fabric and padding therefor that might be employed.

Mounted in the compartment I6 is a socket 40 for the lamp I1, suitable conduits carrying electrical conductor wires being connected to the socket in a. conventional manner, so that current can be supplied to the lamps at the socket box 4I. The latter may be mounted near the bottom of the chair at the back thereof and may be secured to any adjacent frame portion. A connection 42 from the main house line may be releasably plugged into the socket box, and a conduit 43 may extend upward therefrom to the branch fitting 44, from which the branch conduits 45 may extend to the different lamps, and one conduit section 46 may extend to the switch 41 mounted adjacent to an arm of the chair. It will be understood that the electrical connections for the switch and lamps yare arranged according to a simple series circuit, so that on operating the switch, both lamps I1 are thrown into and out of circuit.

In each opening formed by the frame elements 2|, 22 and 2l, is fitted a rectangular window frame 48 which may be of one piece construction, and may have continuous face flanges 49 and angular flanges engaged in said openings. The flanges 49 overlie the upholstery to afford a neat finish thereto, and a sheet of glass 5I is fitted into the flange 59 and retained therein as by an auxiliary removable rectangular frame element 52 or by clips as may be preferred. The window as thus constructed is of the general shape of a segment of a cylindrical surface and conforms to the shape of the chair at I5.

To afford access to the lamp I1 for replacement thereof, the window structure may be removable as a unit. In order to removably secure the window in place, parallel metallicstrips 53 may be fixed to the upper and lower frame elements 2| and 22 and may have openings 54 for releasably engaging, with a snap fastener action, the heads or projections 55 formed in the adjacent portions of the fiange 59.

For mounting a radio receiver 56 in the body of the chair, one of the arms may be arranged to provide a compartment 51 which may extend from the top of an arm to the bottom of the chair and from the front to the rear of the latter, the arrangement being such that said compartment has an opening 58 at thetop thereof and an opening 59 at the bottom thereof. The opening 59 may extend from the front to the back of the chair, to afford a large Ventilating passage about the receiver 56. The compartment 51 also communicates with the chamber I6 through the large upright passage 60 which extends from the wall 26 continuously downward to the bottom opening 59.

Extending along the opening 58 is a rectangular frame 6I of approximately Z form in cross section, the upper flange 62 whereof rests on the frame and overlies the fabric 39. The lower inward extending flange 63 affords a support for engaging the front plate or panel 64 of the receiver 56. The arrangement is such that a countersink or recess is afforded in the top of the chair arm, and in which the tuning and control knobs 65 as well as the switch 66 for the receiver, are wholly contained. A flexible lead 61 extends downward through the compartment 51 and is releasably plugged at 68 int-o the socket box 4I. The speaker unit 69 of the receiver may face laterally and the sound thereof will readily pass through the fabric 39 and also out at the bottom of the chair.

To facilitate removal of the radio'receiver 56 and cleaning of the countersunk portion of the arm, shackle elements or handles 19 may extend through the panel 64. These handles may be grasped and an upward pull exerted thereon, causing the handles to slip upward until the hooks 1I engage the lower face of the panel to elevate the set. The panel can then be brushed clean and any accumulation of dirt can be readily removed. Furthermore, the radio set can be completely withdrawn in this simple manner for inspection and replacement of parts.

The manner of using the device I will now be briefly described. A person sitting in the chair may operate the switch 41 to throw on the lights, and may read a book disposed on one of the arms of the chair. The light will properly illuminate the book, the glass panes I being preferably frosted, and a quantity of light will also be thrown on the occupant of the chair, without any glare. If operation of the radio set 66 is desired, the operator may conveniently work the switch 86 and the tuning knobs 65, and since the receiver is spaced from the seat II, no vibration will be imparted thereto. The occupant of the chair may dispose his arms on the arms of the chair without obstruction by the knobs 65, and without disturbing the setting thereof. Cooling air constantly enters the opening 59 to flow through compartment v51, passage 60 and lamp chamber I6 and out through opening 28 to avoid overheating and burning of the wood or fabric of the chair. Should a person accidentally place a coat over the back of the chair, the openings 28 would remain open due to the offsets thereat. The radio set 'can be completely removed and the plug 68 thereof detached. If replacement of a lamp I1 is desired, the window can be removed by grasping the edge of the flange 49 of the window frame, due to the yieldability of the upholstery, and the window completely detached.

A single plug connection at 42 sumces for both the lights and radio set, and all electrical connections are Insulated and constructed for a proper degree of safety.

In Fig. 5 is shown a modification of the invention including a body portion or extension which may be similar to that shown at I4, andhaving an illuminating unit embodied therein in a generally similar manner, so that the lamp 1I will project light through the glass 12 forwardly or in any other suitable direction relative to the chair, for the convenience of the occupant thereof. However, this modification, which may or may not be used in conjunction with the radio receiver, discloses a different Ventilating arrangement and a means for adjusting the angle of the light while permitting maintenance of the uniform flush appearance hereinbefore described.

The body 10 includes a pocket 13 desirably rearwardly open, and having a metallic tubular wall, providing a bottom wall 14 having a large Ventilating opening therein in communication with the duct 60. There may be parallel side walls 16, and an upwardly inclined top wall 11. This wall structure may be suitably fixed to the frame of the body and may engage over the upholstery 39 as shown at flanges 18. At the front, the walls mentioned afford a rectangular opening that may lie in a vertical or other plane or surface, and adapted to be closed by the glass 12. The latter may be secured in a casing 19 as by rectangular frame elements 80. 'Ihe casing 19 may have a bottom hinge 8| connected to the wall 14, whereby it is swingabley forwardly and @downwardly from the normal position shown.

Said casing' may have parallel side walls 82, a top wall concentric with the axis at 8|, and a bottom wall 84 carrying a fastening means 85. The casing may have a marginal flange or may cooperate with the frame element 80 to overlie the adjacent edge of the upholstery.

The lamp 1| may be connected in a conventional socket 86, mounted on a plate 81, the latter also carrying a suitable reflector 88 for the lamp. An end portion 89 of the plate is frictionally releasably engaged in the socket 85 that may have a slot to receive the plate, and whereby the lamp and reflector unit may be adjustably mounted for movement toward and away from the window 12. A lead 80 may connect the lamp socket with a switch 9| mounted at the rear of the chair and manipulatable by a rod 92 turnable by a iinger piecev 93 at the front of the chair' to control the switch. In this way the latter is entirely exposed for inspection and repair. The lead 94 from the switch may be connected to the box 4| or directly to the house circuit.

By this arrangement, if it be desired to throw the light downward, an edge of the frame 80 is grasped to tilt the casing 19, and hence the entire illuminating means as a unit, including the lamp and reflector. .The walls 82, 88 enclose the stream of light so that the latter issues only from the window. v'1"he lamp is readily replaceable by removing the reiiector 88 or withdrawing the plate 81, rearward. The pocket 13 affords ample ventilation for the lamp and radio set, and because of the offset arrangement at its rear opening, will not accumulate dust nor be accidentally closed.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may be made in the device as shown in the drawing, and that the same is submitted in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense, the scope of the invention beingdefned in the following claim.

I claim: i

An upholstered arm chair having a seat, back, and thick forward extensions at the sides of the back; one or both of said forward extensions being provided with a window in the upper front portion; each said extension provided with said window having a chimney-like flue in its interior, having a bottom intake and an upper exit; a metal lining extending rearwardly from said window and forming a heat distributing means; -f

an electric lamp adjustably mounted back of said window and in said flue and free from any local heat conning means. 1 ALBERT A. GRANOVSKY. 

